Conveyer-trunk.



PATENTED FEB. 21, 1905. J. M.V CULVER. GONYEYER TRUNK.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 12. 1963,

. "e asume-snm 1.

PATENTED FEB. 21 1905.

J. M. GULVER'. CONVEYER TRUNK.

APPLIUATION FILED s-EPT. 12, 190s.

.2 SHEETS-)HEET 2.

ATTORNEY.

, tions.

Patented February 21j, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

.IOHN M. CULVER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONvEY-ER-TRUNK.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 783,025, dated February 21, 1905.

Application filed September l2, 1903. Serial No. 172,858.

To wllwtom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. CULvEP., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county oi' Cook and State or' Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveyer-'Irunks, of which the following' is a specification sufhciently clear and exact to enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to conveyers, and more especially to that type oi' conveyers known as pneumatic conveyers, which are used in connection with grain-threshing and fodder-shredding machines'and more specifically known as pneumaticstackers. Its object is to provide an extensible delivery conduit, duct, or trun'k'the sections of which are non-telescopic, and to provide means forsupporting and adjusting the same. y

Other improved details of construction will alsobe pointed outl as the description proceeds.

Heretofore extensible trunks have been composed of telescoping sections, serious objections to which have been found in consequence oi the diiiiculty experienced in sliertening and lengthening' them when the sections have been dented or jammed out orn shape. The present invention overcomes these objec- It contemplates an extensible trunk formed of a longitudinally movable member open along the side and a relatively stationary member,upon which the movable member is mounted, which forms a closure for the open side thereoil and which is provided with means for engaging the movable member to hold it in position. The end ot' the deliveryduct of the blower,with which such conveyers are usually provided, is made corresponding in cross-section to the cross-section of the trunk into whichit projects through the open side of the movable member at the inner end of the relatively stationary member. Over this delivery-duct the movable member is adapted to slide and to be carried bya suitable support beyond.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like characters or' reference designate like parts.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a pneumatic stacker provided with a trunk of the above-described type, showing a portion of a thresher suicient to showthe manner of attaching' the same.

shown in l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation, partially in section, ot' the stackerturret and a portion of the trunk. Fig. 4 is a sectional end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3, which section is indicated by lines 4 4 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional end elevation indicated by li'ne 5 5 in Fig. l, showing the manner of connecting the tubular portion of the trunk with the flexible portion. Fig. 6 is a sectional end elevation of an alternative construction of the trunk. Fig. 7 is asectional side elevation of the hood, showing the manner of mounting 1tv on the tubular portion ot' the trunk and the means for adjusting the same. Fig. 8 is a sectional end elevation of the hood, indicated by line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

To better illustrate the manner ot' using the invention, a portion ot' a threshing-Inachine is shown represented by A. derstood, however, that the invention is as readily applicable to fodder-shredding and a variety of other machines of a similar character. Mounted upon the delivery end of the thresher, so as to receive the material to be stacked, is the usual blower B, the fan of which is adapted to be driven in any suitable manner. As herein shown it is mounted transversely of the thresher, so that the eye of the blower is opposite the delivery end of the thresher. Surrounding the mouth b oi' the blower and suitably mounted upon the framework a of the thresher is an annular support or base-plate C, which is provided with a plurality of antifriction )vlieels or rollers c. Upon these rollers is mounted a turret D, which is provided with a curved delivery-duct (Z. which is virtually an extension of the mouth b, which it surrounds. The 'turretD is provided with means for revolving it, which consists oi' a worm-gear CZ and a worm d", meshing therewith, which 1s mounted in suitable bearings It is to be un- Fig. 2 is a plan View or' the parts vin the base-plate C and provided with a handwheel (Z3.

A support E is pivoted at its inner end in suitable lugs or ears at the rear of the turret D at the center of the radius of curvature of the delivery-duct d, the upper surface of the inner end of the support being contiguous with the outer rear surface of the deliveryduct. Mounted upon the support E is a plurality of sections F, open at one side, which are slidably connected thereto by means of lateral projections f, which engage grooves or channels e at the sides thereof, the support E forming a closure for the open side. Each section is provided with an enlarged innerend f', adapted to overlap the outer end f2 of the adjacent section, and is connected to the adjacent section by a hinge f3 or other flexible means. The sections are adapted to project over the top of the delivery-duct (Z, the outer surface of which is contiguous with the inner surface ofthe sections, and to be carried in an inoperative position on the opposite side thereof by the support G, which is rigidly connected with the turret D, the hinges f3 permitting' the sections to be deflected out of linewith the relatively stationary support E. In the construction herein shown the supportE is not extensible. Hence it becomes necessary to provide the slidable portion of the trunk, which is open at one side, with a section closed at the sides, as H, which shall project beyond the support. This closed section, here shown tubular in form, is rigidly connected with the outermost section F and is adapted to slide therewith over the support E. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 5.) By these means a non-telescopic extensible conveyer-trunk is formed, which is substantially air-tight, the support E forming the relatively stationary member above referred to and the sections F and the section H the longitudinally movable member. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the support E is flat and the iiexibly connected sections, semicylindrical in forrn, open along the diameter, the sides of which are extended beyond a distance substantially equal to the radius, which permits the tubular section H to pass over the support when the axes of the sections are in line. An alternative and a preferable construction of the trunk, however, is shown in Fig. 6,' in which both the support and the flexibly connected sections are semicylindrical in form, which makes the cross-section of the trunk the same throughout its length, the tubular portion sliding in the hollow of the support, as indicated by dotted lines.

Conveyer-trunks are usually provided with means for adjusting them in one or more directions. The means herein shown for raising and lowering the same consists of two pair of toggles I, one on each side of the trunk. pivotally connected to the face of a gear- One end of each of the toggles isvsaoe wheel J equidistant from the center thereof, which is mounted in suitable bearings in the turret, preferably on the same axis upon which the trunk hinges, and the opposite ends pivotally connected to a frame H', which is connected with the tubular section H and embraces and carries the outer end of the support E. The adjacent ends are provided with gear-segments c', which intermesh, so that the arms of the toggles move in unison. Meshing with the gears J are pinions j, secured to a shaft j. which is also mounted in suitable bearings in the turret. Also secured to this shaft is a worm-gear f2, meshing with which is a worm f3, which is provided with a crank jt. By the means above described the trunk may be raised and lowered by turning the crank and held in any desired position. The toggles which support the trunk form also an efficient means for withdrawing and extending' it. As the arms are drawn together the trunk is extended, and as they are forced apart it is withdrawn. A rod e", provided with a right and left hand screw-thread, each ofwhich is provided with a corresponding nut pivoted, respectively, to the arms of the toggles, which screw-threaded rod is provided with a hand-wheel 3, provides means for adjusting' the length of the trunk. In case other means were provided for supporting the trunk a single toggle, or one on each side, would be sufficient for adjusting the length of the trunk.

The outer end of the movable member of the trunk is provided with a hood or deflector, as K, which, as herein shown, is formed of two semicylindrical sections 7c and k', vthe sides of which are extended somewhat beyond the diameter, which sections are cut by planes oblique to their axes and joined along these pla-nes so as to form an elbow, as shown in Fig. 7. The opposite end of each section is cut by planes oblique to the axes in the opposite direction to those above mentioned. The hood K is pivotally connected at its lower edges to bars or rods Z, which are parallel therewith and are secured to a ring L, surrounding the tubular section of the trunk. On each side of this ring are rings Z and Z2, which are secured to the tubular section and hold the ring L in position, between which it turns. Zz, over which ropes or cords ZAl pass, the ends of which are secured to eyes provided in the ring Z. By these means the ring L and the hood K, carried thereby, may be held in any desired position or turned about the trunk. A third pulley, k2, is mounted on one of the bars l, over which pulley a rope 7c3 passes, both ends of which are secured to the rhood at a point eccentric to the pivot, whereby when the rope is pulled the hood is moved over the end of the trunk from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 7 to that shown in dotted lines, or vice versa, or held in any desired intermediate position. A relatively IOO IIO

rlhe rods l are provided with pulleys IZO Stationary deflected portion of the trunk may be provided, as M,` if found desirable.

It will be seen that the conduit or trunk shown and described herein is readily applicable to a variety of conveyers, that many modifications in the form thereof will immediatel y suggest themselves, and that any other means may be used for revolving' the same upon its turret, raising' and lowering, extending, and withdrawing it. Hence it is not the intention to limit this application to the exact construction herein described and illustrated, but to have it construed and interpreted as broadly as is commensurate with the generic character of the invention, so that it may cover any and all of the modifications of construction which do not depart from the spirit thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a relatively stationary member and a non-telescopic movable member connected longitudinally therewith.

2. A conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a relatively stationary member and a pluralityA of non-telescopic movable members connected longitudinally therewith.

3. A pneumatic conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a relatively stationary supporting member and a plurality of flexibly connected sections slidably connected therewith.

1. An extensible pneumatic conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a .relatively stationary member and a plurality of sections iiexibly connected together and slidably mounted thereon, one of which sections projects beyond said stationary member.

A conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a relatively stationary member and a movable member open along one side for a portion of its length, said stationary member forming a closure for the open side.

6. A pneumatic conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a relatively stationary member open its entire length along one side, and a movable member connected therewith open for a portion of its length along' one side, said stationary member forming a closure for the open side of said movable member.

7. An extensible pneumatic conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a semicylindrical relatively stationary mem ber open its entire length along' the diameter, and a semicylindrical longitudinally movable member mounted thereon and connected therewith open for a portion of its length along the diameter, said stationary mem ber forming a closure for the open side of said movable member.

8. A pneumatic conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a plurality of movable sections, a portion of which are open along one side, and a relatively stationary supporting member which forms a closure for the open sides of said movable members,

9. An extensible pneumatic conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a plurality of flexibly connected sections open along one side, a section closed on the sides rigidly connected thereto and a relatively stationary member upon which said sections are slidably mounted and which forms a closure for the open sides thereof.

10. An extensible pneumatic conveyer conduit or trunk formed of a plurality of semicylindrical sections-flexibly connected together and open alongI the diameter, a cylindrical section 'rigidly connected thereto anda semicylindrical relatively stationary member upon which said sections are slidably mounted and which forms a closure for the open sides thereof.

11. In a pneumatic conveyer, in combination with means for producing a current of air and a delivery-duct therefor, a enduit or trunk formed of a relatively stationary member connected with said duct and a non-telescopic movable member connected with said stationary member and adapted to inclose said duct.

12. In a pneumatic conveyer, in combination with means for producing a current of air and a delivery-d uct therefonan extensible cond uit or trunk formed of a relatively stationary member connected with said duct. and a plurality of sections iiexibly connected together and slidably mounted upon said stationary memberand adapted to inclose said duct, one of which sections projects beyond said stationary member.

13. In a pneumatic conveyer, in combination with means for producing a current of air and a delivery-duct therefor,a conduit or trunk formed of a relatively stationary member, and a non-telescopic movable member open along' one side and adapted to inclose said duct, said stationary member forming a closure for the open side of said movable member.

14. In a pneumatic conveyer, in combination with means for producing a current of air and a delivery-duct therefor, an extensible conduit or trunk formed of a relatively stationary member, and a movable member open along one side a portion of its length and adapted to slide over and inclose said duct, said stationary member forming a closure for the open side of said movable member.

15. In a pneumatic conveyer, in combination with a blower, and a delivery-duct therefor, an extensible conduit or trunk, connected with said duct, formed of a plurality of flexibly connected sections, open along one side, a section, closed on the sides, rigidly connected thereto, a stationary member upon which said sections are slidably mounted which forms a closure for the open sides thereof beyond said duct, said flexibly connected sections being adapted to slide over and inclose said duct, and means for carrying inoperative sections on the opposite side'thereof.

16. In a pneumatic conveyer, in combina- IOC) IIO

tion with a blower, a delivery-duet therefor, and a turret, an extensible conduit or trunk mounted upon said turret and connected with said duet, formed of a plurality of semieylindrieal sections iiexibly connected together and open along the diameter, a Cylindrical section rigidly connected thereto, a semieylindrioal relatively stationary member upon which said sections are slidably mounted which forms a Closure for the open side thereof beyond said duet, said semieylindrieal sections being adapted to slide over and ine-lose said d uct, and means also mounted upon said turret for earryinginoperative sections on the opposite side thereof.

17. In a pneumatic eonveyer, in combination with a blower.l a delivery-duet therefor, and a turret, an extensible conduit or trunk pivotally mounted upon said turret and eonneeted with said duet formed of a plurality of iiexibly Connected sections open along one side, a section Closed on the sides rigidly con? neeted thereto, a stationary member upon which said sections are slidably mounted which forms a closure for the open side thereof beyond said duet, said flexibly connected seetions being adapted to slide over and inelose said duet, means for carrying inoperative seetions on the opposite side thereof, means for revolving' said turret, means for raising and lowering' said trunk, means for extending` and withdrawing' said sections, and an adjustable hood or defiector at the outer end thereof.

.18. The Combination of an extensible oon- Veyer-trunk and a toggle for adjusting' the length thereof.

19. rlhe Combination of an extensible Conveyer-trunl, a toggle connected at one end to the trunk and at the other end to a relatively stationary part, and means for operating said toggle to adjust the length of the trunk.

20. rlhe Combination of an extensible Conveyer-trunk, and a plurality of articulating bars or levers pivotally connected to the trunk at one end, and to a relatively stationary part at the other for supporting said trunk and adjusting the height and length thereof.

2l. rlhe combination of an extensible oonveyer conduit or trunk, and aplurality of articulating bars or levers pivotally Connected to the trunk at one end and to a relatively stationary part at the other, means for moving said bars as a whole on their pivot to adjust the height of said trunk, and' meansformoving said bars relatively on their pivots to adjust the length thereof.

22. The combination of an extensible conveyer-trunk and a pair of toggles for supporting said trunk and adjusting the height and length thereof.

23. The combination with a blower of an extensible eonveyer-trunk pivotally connected thereto, one or morepairs of toggles geared together at their opposite ends and pivotally Connected at one end to the trunk and at the other end'to a gear-wheel, means for turning said gear-wheel to revolve said toggles for adjusting the height of said trunk, and means for moving said togg'les apart or drawing them together for adjusting the length thereof.

In testimony whereof l havesigned my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. JOHN M. CULVER.

lVitnesses:

CHAs. N. CHAMBERS, (E1-IAS. XV. ALLEN. 

